Best air rifle for deer hunting

[johnny2022]

Looking into buying a big bore air rifle for deer hunting. I'm looking to hunt in a semi-populated area and like something that would provide 2 or 3 shots on a tank of air and comes with a suppressor or can be easily added. In my state it must be .40 cal. or larger and I typically hunt with a .50 cal. black powder so something that would shoot that same slug would be ideal if possible.

Thank you for an advice!

cj

 

[Ezana4CE]

Looking into buying a big bore air rifle for deer hunting. I'm looking to hunt in a semi-populated area and like something that would provide 2 or 3 shots on a tank of air and comes with a suppressor or and can be easily added. In my state it must be .40 cal. or larger and I typically hunt with a .50 cal. black powder so something that would shoot that same slug would be ideal if possible.

Thank you for an advice!

cj

I suggest that you search threads in this hunting forum. There are several members in various states who have used big bore air rifles to hunt deer over several deer seasons. Some threads are replete with photos. To get you started pay attention to posts showcasing Airforce and AEA airguns, but there are other brands that produce quality or affordable guns that are fully capable of meeting some state requirements for taking deer with airguns.

 

[Raden1942]

I highly recommend the airforce Texan. The SS CF 45 would be my recommendation or the LSS if you really want to get maximum power. Unfortunately the 50 cal is really .510 and probably wouldn't share compatibility for your muzzle loader. The .457 is able to use 4570 dies to cast bullets so that's why I recommend it. 

 

[crazyhorse]

Quackenbush '308

 

[Raden1942]

His state requires 40 cal but that is a cool gun. 

 

[Long_Gun_Dallas]

Alternative would be out of the aea airguns lineup. Not sure how the weights compare, but offer very high power output and excellent accuracy, too. 

 

[wimpanzee]

Missouri?

I use a texan 457 carbine and my second backup gun is a power tuned 909s 457.

NSA slugs in both, 240gr in the texan, and 196gr in the 909s.

Both great guns! The 909s is a little easier to carry around and shoot. The texan makes 25% more power.

 

[CyberDyneSystems]

On the lower price side there are the Seneca/Sumatra options, DragonClaw in .50 and LightHunter in .45

Both are able to use air bolts as well, if that's an option in your area. These can be modded aftermarket to nearly double the FPE.

 

[johnny2022]

Quackenbush would be ideal, and honestly what originally got me interested in big bore air rifles, especially since his place is down from me but it seems he stopped producing big bore guns like the .50 cal. All I see on his site is pistols and smaller calibers on his site. Am I missing something?

 

[johnny2022]

I've heard a lot of good things bout the Texan, is it a USA product?

The 909s is Chinese made?

 

[Raden1942]

909s is Korean I believe. I also got into big bores because of quack n bush. I just feel like it's a bad option for a hunting gun because of parts availability and airforce has a lifetime warranty so that's why I recommend them. I'd love to have one of those lower power dragon claws tho. 

 

[Texan357]

I have an Airforce Texan .357 that runs 200grainers@1000 fps,and it'll kill a deer. Soft lead expands of course you know,but a little hardercast bullet will break bone. I say go for the texan

 

[johnny2022]

Thanks @Texan357 but my state wont let me hunt with an air rifle under .40 caliber.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Thanks @Texan357 but my state wont let me hunt with an air rifle under .40 caliber.

Look at what @Raden1942 posted earlier in this thread. Airforce Airguns makes a .457 Texan and a .50 look them up on sites like www.PyramydAir.com or www.AirgunsOfArizona.com